ROCKFORD — Thomas Lindem founded Atometric Inc. with his father 10 years ago because they saw a market in machining microscopic parts for genetic research and biomedical companies.

The company, which was launched and remains based at Rockford’s EIGERlab, survived the Great Recession. Lindem called it a “near-death experience,” but still Lindem is selling just a handful of machines a year.

On Wednesday, for the third straight year, Lindem attended the Go Global conference on exporting organized by the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. Lindem already has sold machines to companies in a handful of countries, but he is looking to expand into other markets.

“I’d like to break into Canada and more of the European market,” said Lindem, whose father died in 2008. “I had some bids in Australia but didn’t get the contract. This is a good place to make contacts. I met someone today from Wisconsin who may be interested in our machines.”

Wednesday was the RAEDC’s seventh Go Global conference and the event continues to show steady growth. About 240 people from six countries and five U.S. states — Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa — registered to attend the day-long conference. The number of companies renting booths at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center grew from 20 to 31.

The speakers covered topics ranging from the state of the global economy, finding international customers and maintaining an international supply chain.

Tommy Berry of Florida-based Point Trade Services Inc. talked about how to use foreign trade zones to save supply chain costs.

“We have clients from smaller companies who save $500,000 a year through (foreign trade zones) and larger clients that save more than $10 million,” he said.

Berry’s company teaches companies how to utilize FTZs throughout the country. Companies that are part of a zone can get relief from inverted tariffs, be exempted from duties on re-exports or on elimination on scrap and waste, and pay fewer fees on weekly customs entries.

“Foreign trade is changing all the time,” Berry said. “You have to keep up or you are going to cost yourself money.”